Many people have heard the expression "elite troops" of Russia, but not everyone has an idea what this expression actually means. There are no clear criteria that would help classify this or that special unit as more prestigious. As a rule, such a rank is usually deserved by troops that are in full combat readiness every minute and have the greatest combat capability. Troops can also earn an honorary title among the people for displaying heroism and high professionalism in combat operations. AT Russian elite troops list, which is located below, included the most prestigious divisions based on surveys.
Opens a list of Russian elite troops. The main task of the special unit is anti-terrorist measures. The detachments are engaged in the release of hostages, eliminate riots, and are also engaged in the elimination of illegal armed groups. Also, the competence of the National Guard Troops includes the neutralization and detention of criminals who pose a particular danger to society. The special forces of this detachment celebrate their official day on March 27th.
It belongs to the most prestigious troops of the fatherland. The creation of the Armed Forces took place in 1992 of the 20th century. The main function of the special unit is to protect the territory of the country, its integrity. The Armed Forces have one of the largest stocks of military equipment, as well as weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons. In 2017, the number of special forces military personnel amounted to just over a million people, and the mobilization resource is over 60 million. The recruitment of the Armed Forces occurs in two ways - conscription through the army and contract service. The state annually spends more than 3 trillion rubles annually on the development of the Armed Forces.
belongs by right to the most prestigious troops of the Russian Federation. He stands guard over the country, protecting it from attacks outside the land zone. The Navy is designed to conduct combat operations in the open spaces of the water. The navy has been guarding our state for more than three hundred years. In addition to the main tasks, the competence of the special unit includes ensuring the safety of maritime activities in the expanses of the World Ocean. The Navy possesses high firepower and a high range of destruction, which makes it possible to destroy the enemy at a great distance - up to several thousand meters.
The FSSP of Russia certainly belongs to the elite troops of the Russian Federation. It includes rapid response units, which are required to undergo special training. The FSSP is armed with automatic weapons and ensures the safety of ships, and also personally guards the leadership of the Federal Bailiff Service.
Included in the list of elite troops of the country. The main tasks of the special forces are to detect and eliminate terrorist groups. Among other goals of the troops is the conduct of special measures on enemy territory.
They are considered one of the most elite troops of the Russian state. Airborne troops are engaged in the implementation of special events behind enemy lines. Also, the tasks of the special forces include the capture of enemy objects and the capture of the enemy. The selection for the landing force is strict in all respects. The future paratrooper must not only have good physical data, but also have a stable psycho-emotional background, since the military personnel of the Airborne Forces have to perform quite difficult tasks. The official creation of the special forces took place in 1992. The Airborne Forces actively participated in the Afghan, Chechen wars, and also took part in hostilities with Georgia.
is an elite special unit in service with the Russian state. Refers to troops that are in constant and full combat readiness. The Strategic Missile Forces are armed with intercontinental ballistic missiles with warheads. The formation of the special forces took place in the middle of the last century. To date, the missile forces include 3 armies, which include 12 missile divisions. Strategic Missile Forces are armed with more than three hundred complexes of various types.
Opens the top three most elite troops of the Russian Federation. The armed forces are designed to conduct maritime operations, which include the conduct of hostilities with the capture of the enemy's coastline. In addition, the special unit performs other operations, including the protection of coastal areas. The main tasks of the Marine Corps are the conquest of coastal territories and their retention until the main forces approach. The special unit is part of the Russian Navy.
The elite, without any doubt, includes, whose main tasks are the defense of the state in the aerospace field, the detection and complete destruction of the enemy, as well as the reflection of hostilities from ballistic missiles. Also, the competence of the Aerospace Forces includes the identification of possible combat attacks by missiles and being in full combat readiness. A component of the Aerospace Forces are the Russian Space Forces. The main tasks of the last special unit are the observation of objects in space, as well as the timely detection and combat defeat of space threats.
Completes the ranking of the elite troops of the Russian Federation. The competence of the military unit includes the solution of tasks to ensure the protection of the presidential residence, namely the Moscow Kremlin. Also, a component of the FSO participates in protocol events and takes part in guards of honor. The presidential regiment was formed in 1993, the official day of which is May 7th.
In modern military doctrine, great attention is paid to the use of special forces. Elite squads can effectively perform any task, from open combat clashes to sabotage behind enemy lines. In addition, special forces are often anti-terror forces - they prevent terrorist attacks, large-scale uprisings and riots, counteract underground groups in the country. This ranking includes best special forces in the world- Top 10.
10. Sayeret Matkal (Israel)
Officially, one of the most powerful special forces in the world, Sayeret Matkal, was founded in 1957 by officer Avraham Arnan. With extreme reluctance, the headquarters sponsored the creation of a detachment whose main task was a "shadow war", including sabotage and quiet data collection. Nevertheless, now the service in Sayeret Matkal is very honorable, despite the most severe course of a young fighter, the surrender of which ends with a 100 km cross in the desert, after which the recruits take the oath and become full members of the unit. Due to the special level of secrecy, the number of special forces and their location are unknown. The fighters of Sayeret Matkal have participated in many operations around the world and have proven their high level of training.
9.SSG (Pakistan)
The SSG is one of the best special forces in the world, which appeared in 1964 on the basis of the 19th battalion of the Baluch regiment. The headquarters is located in Cherat, not far from the city of Atgok. Subsequently, three commando battalions were formed, for a total of 24 companies. Each of them had their own specialization and worked out operations in the desert, mountains, as rangers and countering underwater sabotage. In 1970, the SSG was assigned to start the fight against terrorism. SSG fighters participated in conflicts with India and the Afghan war on the side of the Mujahideen. The unit has about 2100 people, divided into 4 battalions.
8. GIGN (France)
The official history of the elite special forces GIGN begins in 1974, after the terrorist attack at the Munich Olympics two years earlier. The main task of the unit is to ensure the safety of the civilian population and the timely neutralization of terrorists infiltrating the country's territory. The total number of GIGN is 380 people. Among the most famous operations, one can single out the release of 229 hostages in 1994. Four terrorists attempted to destroy the Eiffel Tower. It was also GIGN that carried out the elimination of terrorists in the suburbs of Paris on January 9, 2015.
7. EKO-Cobra (Austria)
The top ten special forces units in the world include the Austrian Cobra, whose main task is to counter terrorism. Moreover, the special unit has nothing to do with the federal police, directly reporting to the Austrian Ministry of Internal Affairs. The main reason for the creation of the Cobra was the infamous Munich Olympics. Since 1981, the Cobra unit has provided security for the chancellor, as well as controls the Vienna-Schwechat airport and protects all foreign political persons when visiting the country. Sources estimate the size of the unit in different ways - from 330 to 450 people.
6. "Delta" (USA)
Delta belongs to the most elite special forces in the world. The list of tasks of the detachment includes countering terrorism, suppressing popular unrest, as well as performing secret missions that are not limited to rescuing civilians. The number of the detachment is about 1000 people. Most of the recruits come from the US Special Forces, as well as the 7th Army Ranger Regiment. Unlike many other units, members of the Delta are authorized to wear civilian clothes on missions, as well as to have an informal hair style. If the operative needed to put on army equipment, then there will be no identification marks on it. All this is done for greater secrecy of personnel in the event of a potential invasion.
5. JTF-2 (Canada)
The secret special forces unit JTF-2 was created in April 1993, as a result of the reform program of the Canadian armed forces. Due to the level of secrecy, information about the number of employees and location was never officially disclosed. It is assumed that JTF-2 consists of at least 300 operatives, but the government plans to increase their number at least twice. Among the significant operations, it is worth noting the participation of JTF-2 in the battles against Al-Qaeda in 2001-2002. In addition, Canadian special forces actively participated in peacekeeping operations in Haiti, Iraq and Serbia.
4. Alfa (Russia)
The Alpha squad is the world-famous best Russian special unit specializing in the fight against terrorism. The main range of their tasks includes the prevention of terrorist attacks, rescue of hostages, as well as deployment in "hot spots". The Alpha unit was created in 1974 by special order to prevent sabotage and terrorist attacks. The personnel was recruited on a voluntary basis and consisted only of KGB officers. In 1996, the Alpha group entered the Anti-Terrorist Center of the FSB of the Russian Federation. Alpha fighters took an active part in most of the armed conflicts that the USSR and the Russian Federation entered into, such as the Afghan and Chechen wars.
3. SHAYETET 13 (Israel)
Opens the top three special forces in the world Shaytet 13. It was formed in 1950 by combining several formations of combat swimmers and exploding boats. To get into Shaitet 13, recruits must withstand colossal physical exertion, as well as have a strong psyche and high intelligence in order to pass the selection tests. The main field of activity of this unit is various sabotage and sabotage of enemy ships, reconnaissance, targeted liquidations and capture.
2. "Seals" (USA)
The SEALs are one of the most famous US special forces. The official date of their creation is 1962, but individual personnel began to be selected during WWII. Training methods were partially copied from combat swimmers. After completing a training course, recruits are capable of performing complex tasks in all conditions, both on land, sky and water. Versatility has become the main goal of this unit. As one of the best units in the US Army, the SEALs are equipped with the latest and highest quality weapons. They participated in most military conflicts where the United States intervened, in addition, the SEALs often became instructors for training special forces of other states.
1. SAS (Britain)
Elite special squads are one of the most trained and impressive military units that the countries of the world can only boast of. They go where other military men fear to tread, overcome potential threats, eliminate strategic targets and carry out dangerous missions. They are the best of the best. And although it is quite difficult to create a comparative list of these units, there are units that are better than the rest, because their military personnel undergo rigorous training, during which most of the applicants are eliminated. In the modern world, where the size of the country's armed forces no longer speaks of their effectiveness, these military men are the hope and support of the state.
In our issue you will find a description of eight of the world's most elite military units. The list is presented in ascending order.
1. In eighth place is the Pakistan Special Forces Group, better known as the "Black Storks" - because of the unique headgear of the commanders.
2. In October 2009, members of this special forces force broke into an office building and rescued 39 people taken hostage by the Taliban after an attack on army units.
3. In seventh place is the Special Forces of the Spanish Navy (UOE), which has long been one of the most respected special forces in Europe. The detachment was originally organized as a volunteer airborne company in 1952, but has since grown into an elite special forces unit.
4. However, getting a UOE green beret is not easy, and the failure rate ranges from 70 to 80%. It's not uncommon for 100% of recruits to fail the test.
5. In sixth place is the Russian Alpha squad, one of the best and most famous special forces units in the world. This elite anti-terrorist unit was created by the KGB in 1974 and remains under the auspices of its modern "follower" - the FSB.
6. In 2002, Russian special forces, and in particular the Alpha unit, came under fire after 129 hostages died in Operation Nord-Ost in a Moscow theater as a result of the use of sleeping gas designed to eliminate militants.
7. Fifth place: of all the anti-terrorism services in the world, few can compare with the French Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN). The group has 200 people trained specifically for hostage situations. Since its founding in 1973, the group has released 600 people. It is against the law to publish photos of their faces in France.
8. One of the most extraordinary episodes in the history of GIGN was the capture of the Great Mosque in Mecca in 1979. Since non-Muslims are forbidden from entering the holy city, a team of three GIGN representatives boldly converted to Islam to help the Saudi military liberate the mosque.
9. In fourth place is Sayeret Matkal from Israel, another of the most elite units in the world. Its primary purpose is to gather intelligence, and it often operates far beyond enemy lines. During the selection, recruits undergo rigorous training and are constantly monitored by doctors and psychologists. Only the strongest get into the squad.
10. In 2003, Israeli taxi driver Eliyahu Gurel was kidnapped after taking four Palestinians to Jerusalem in his car. But the Sayeret Matkal detachment discovered his whereabouts and removed him from a 10-meter hole in an abandoned factory in the suburbs of Ramallah.
11. The British Special Air Service opens the top three. Their motto is: "The brave wins." When asked about the importance of this unit in the Iraq War, US General Stanley McChrystal replied: “Principled. Nothing would have been possible without them.”13. The United States Navy SEALs are in first place. To join them, you need to be able to do at least 42 push-ups in 2 minutes, 50 sit-ups in 2 minutes, and run 2.4 km in 11 minutes. And all this - even before the start of training.
14. Bonus: US Marines are tough guys. For example, one of them drinks the blood of a cobra during jungle survival training.
The real power of the army is not when there are a lot of soldiers in the country (often stupid), but when there is a small number of military men whose training and track records are intimidating. Here are seven for you.
Black Stork, Pakistan
Special purpose group within the country. The bird name was earned thanks to unusual headdresses. Training:
- forced march - 58 km. Travel time - 12 hours;
- jogging in full uniform - 8 km in 50 minutes.
One of the brightest achievements: in October 2009, an office building held by Afghan terrorists from the Taliban group was stormed. Specialists from the "Black Stork" coped with the task: neutralized the "bad" ones, rescued 39 hostages.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
Special Forces of the Spanish Navy
The detachment was formed back in 1952. They recruited volunteers, called the “company of climbers-divers“. Over time, they were so trained that the “company” was transformed into a special forces detachment. Today it is not easy to get into it: the selection is the most severe. Therefore, 70-80% of recruits are eliminated annually. And it happens that everything is 100%.
Source: marines.mil
GIGN, France
French Gendarmerie Special Forces, GIGN Intervention Group. There are special trainings for the release of hostages. Since its inception (1973), as of now, 600 people have been rescued.
The most spectacular rescue operation took place in the Al-Haram mosque in Mecca in 1979. According to the Islamic religion, a non-Muslim cannot enter the temple grounds. Therefore, the three French warriors promptly accepted the faith, joined the Saudi Arabian forces, and did their job well. Looking for photos with the faces of GIGN members is a disastrous business: they are forbidden to be published by the laws of France.
Source: tactical-life.com
Sayeret Matkal, Israel
The main task is information gathering, often taking place deep behind enemy lines. One of the successful operations, information about which was obtained:
- 2003, Israeli taxi driver Eliyahu Gurel took three Palestinians to Jerusalem → was abducted → he was found by specialists from Sayeret Matkal in a 10-meter mine in an abandoned factory in the suburbs of Ramallah (Palestinian city) → saved the poor fellow.
Source: policenet.gr
Special Air Service, United Kingdom
British land forces whose motto is:
“Whoever takes risks wins.”
After the end of the war in Iraq, American General Stanley McChrystal confessed:
“If it wasn’t for the British Special Air Service, we wouldn’t have made it.”
What do Chuck Norris, Sylvester Stallone, Charlie Sheen, Demi Moore and Steven Seagal have in common? Each of them at some point in his career played the role of a special forces soldier. Of all the military units, it is the special forces that have the alluring charm. These soldiers differ from the rest in that they receive separate training and meet higher requirements. In recent times, many elite military units have become widely known through the media. Among their usual activities are the fight against terrorism, the release of hostages and the conduct of intelligence operations. For the successful completion of such operations, enhanced military training is required, which the soldiers undergo. In this list, you will find ten of the best SWAT teams from around the world. Some titles will probably surprise you, but don't let the media fool you.
10. GIGN, France
Our list is opened by the Rapid Response Team of the National Gendarmerie of France. The group was organized after the sad events that unfolded at the 1972 Munich Olympics, when many people were taken hostage and killed. In addition, a year earlier, there was a riot in the national prison, where many innocent people also suffered. The result of these events was the organization of an elite military group of 400 people. Specializing in counter-terrorist operations and hostage rescue, this team has never been idle. They have many successful operations to their credit, including the rescue of 30 schoolchildren held hostage in Djibouti, the capture of war criminals in Bosnia, operations against Somali pirates and, of course, the hostage rescue of Air France Flight 8969 in Marseille in 1994.
9.SSG, Pakistan
In 1956, the Pakistani army created its own special forces unit called the SSG. The number of people included in the grouping remained secret, and the unit itself was created following the example of British and American special forces. A rather strict selection is carried out here, and only 1 out of 4 recruits who have completed a 9-month training course at the airborne school, an enhanced hand-to-hand combat program and a physical training course get into the main team. The training program here includes three types of terrain: mountainous, desert and jungle, in addition, underwater exercises are also mandatory. At the very beginning of the Cold War, the SSG cooperated with the American special forces, part of the military participated in the war in Afghanistan in the 1980s and in the armed incursions into India. In 2009, this organization participated in an anti-terrorist operation, preventing an attack on a police academy in Lahore, and rescuing hostages from an attack on a Pakistani military headquarters.
8. Sayeret Matkal, Israel
This is an Israeli special forces unit focused on reconnaissance, counter-terrorism and the release of hostages outside of Israel. Sayeret Matkal was founded in 1957. This includes carefully selected candidates of high physical and mental ability. The training here lasts eighteen months; it includes a basic infantry school, a parachute school, lessons in the prevention of terrorist attacks, and the basics of intelligence. This unit has taken part in many large-scale operations since 1960. The most famous of these is Operation Entebbe, during which the soldiers demonstrated their determination and skills. It was an operation to free hostages taken prisoner by Palestinian terrorists aboard an airliner that landed at Entebbe Airport in Uganda, when more than a hundred hostages were being held in the terminal building of the airport. The Sayeret Matkal group then managed to free almost everyone.
7. EKO-Cobra, Austria
As a result of the attack on Israeli athletes during the 1972 Munich Olympics, the Einsatzkommando Cobra special forces unit was created in Austria to conduct anti-terrorist operations. It included 450 soldiers who had previously served in the Austrian Federal Police Force. Training here, as in other similar troops, lasts several months, during which soldiers undergo specialized courses in shooting, language training, martial arts, and tactical and assault training courses. Only those who manage to pass the psychological and physical tests can complete the full course of study. In addition to general subjects, they teach diving, work with explosives and train future snipers on an optional basis. This special forces unit is the only one that managed to prevent the hijacking of the aircraft directly during its flight. It happened in 1996 when four commandos were flying the same plane that the hijackers were about to hijack.
6. Delta Force, USA
The full name of this group sounds like the First Operational Detachment Delta. In addition to counter-terrorism operations, these guys take part in hostage rescue, raids and intelligence operations. The group was formed in 1977 after a surge in the number of terrorist attacks. The squad consists mainly of soldiers who have served in such US special forces as the Green Berets and Rangers. Men who have reached the age of 21, have passed the aptitude test with high results and have the rank of corporal or senior sergeant are accepted for training here. A series of grueling physical and psychological tests are designed to weed out the weakest. According to some reports, only 1 out of 10 soldiers complete the course. In general, Delta Squad's operations are kept secret.
5. JTF2, Canada
The JTF2 group was created in 1993 and expanded after the events of September 11, 2001. This is Canada's elite counterterrorism unit. It serves members of the Canadian Forces, carrying out a variety of tasks. Among their duties can even be found escorting VIPs and ensuring their personal safety. This group has been involved in hot-spot operations such as hostage rescues in Iraq, tracking down Serb snipers in Bosnia, and even participating in military conflicts in Afghanistan. And although their presence in Afghanistan was never advertised, it became known from some sources that they were involved in covert operations conducted by US Navy special forces. The operation was so secret that even the Prime Minister of Canada found out about their participation in it only a few days later.
4. Alpha Group, Russia
Group Alpha was formed in the 1970s and has carried out many successful operations in Afghanistan, including the assault on the presidential palace in Kabul, in which no one survived. In 1985, the group was sent to Beirut to rescue four Soviet diplomats. And although they were unable to save them, there are rumors that the group avenged the diplomats by taking the lives of family members of those who were involved in the terrorists. Group Alpha has been involved in a number of major counter-terrorism and hostage rescue operations, including the 2002 Moscow theater siege and the 2004 Beslan school siege. Hundreds of people were killed in both operations.
3. Shayetet 13, Israel
Another Israeli special forces group is Shayetet 13, which is associated with the Israeli Navy. Founded in 1948, this group is involved in every major Israeli operation, whether hostage rescue, counter-terrorism or intelligence. Training here lasts 20 months and constantly keeps candidates in a strong state of stress. Members of the Shayetet 13 group have most recently taken part in operations to seize ships and weapons being transported to the Gaza Strip. Their most famous operation was carried out after the Munich Olympics in 1972, when they tracked down and removed those responsible for organizing the attack on Israeli athletes.
2. SEALs, USA
These guys have to show themselves in public from time to time. SEALs are a special unit of the American special forces, created in 1962 and received an almost mythical status thanks to Operation Neptune Spear, when Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, was killed by them in Abbottabad (Pakistan) in 2011. Only the strongest physically and spiritually are accepted into the SEAL squad. The training here lasts a year, and the tasks are so difficult that most candidates cannot even pass the qualification tests for physical fitness, which include swimming, push-ups, squats and running. Candidates who pass the screening tests are sent to general training, then those who pass the general training are sent to introductory SEAL training, and then those who pass this are sent to professional training courses for SEALs. This rigorous selection ensures that all members of this elite force are in excellent shape and capable of performing the most difficult missions.
1. SAS, UK
This special forces unit in its importance bypasses even the elite Navy SEALs. The British intelligence service SAS was founded in 1941 to work behind enemy lines and provide support to the resistance movement against the occupying forces of fascism. Mostly military personnel of the airborne troops serve here. The physical requirements for candidates who wish to join the SAS are particularly harsh and require great stamina and the ability to march with a pack packed to capacity. The final test here includes a march of 40 kilometers with a stuffed backpack, you are given 20 hours for everything about everything. You will also need to swim 2 miles in an hour and a half and run 4 miles in 30 minutes. After that, you will be left in the jungle to test your survival skills and your ability to find routes. The final test includes a 36-hour interrogation designed to break your will. Those who cope with all the tests will be sent to further training. Military SAS are trained on the same principles as MI5 and MI6 intelligence agents responsible for security, intelligence and counterintelligence.
